Chapter-15, Verse 20

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 15.20

त्यजैव ध्यानं सर्वत्र मा किञ्चिद्धृदि धारय ।

आत्मा त्वं मुक्त एवासि किं विमृश्य करिष्यसि ॥ २० ॥

Completely give up even contemplation and keep your mind still. You are indeed the Self, ever free. What will you do by meditation? || 20 ||

The verse advises the seeker to abandon all forms of mental activity and concentration, which are based on the duality of subject and object, and revel in the stillness of the mind. The seeker is not to dwell on anything in the mind, whether it is a concept, an image, a mantra, or a goal. All these are distractions from the Realization of one's true nature, which is the Self.

The verse asserts that once the seeker has Realized the Self, which is Pure Consciousness, Bliss, and freedom, there is nothing to be gained or lost by meditating. The seeker is ever free from bondage and suffering, and does not need to do anything to attain liberation. Realization is not an event or a state, but the recognition of one's own identity as the Self.

Some similar verses from other Vedic texts are:

This Verse is from the Mandukya Upanishad, which describes the four states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and Turiya (literally, The Fourth).

नान्तःप्रज्ञं न बहिष्प्रज्ञं नोभयतःप्रज्ञं न प्रज्ञानघनं न प्रज्ञं नाप्रज्ञम् ।

अदृष्टमव्यवहार्यमग्राह्यमलक्षणं अचिन्त्यमव्यपदेश्यमेकात्मप्रत्ययसारं प्रपञ्चोपशमं शान्तं शिवमद्वैतं चतुर्थं मन्यन्ते स आत्मा स विज्ञेयः ॥ ७ ॥

Turiya is not the state of inner or outer or both kinds of awareness, nor is it a mass of consciousness or unconsciousness. It is unseen, unrelatable, incomprehensible, indescribable, and unthinkable. It is the essence of the Self-Awareness of the Self. It is the cessation of all phenomena, peaceful, auspicious, and non-dual. This is the Self, and this is to be known.

The Verse negates the identification of the Self with any of the three states of consciousness, which are based on the duality of subject and object. The Self is not limited by any of these states, nor is it a combination or a modification of them. The Self is beyond all states and modes of consciousness, and cannot be defined or measured by them.

The Verse affirms the nature of the Self as Turiya, which is the Pure Awareness of one's own being. Turiya is not an object of perception or cognition, nor is it a concept or a word. It is the substratum of all experience, the Witness of all changes, and the source of all Bliss. It is the Ultimate Reality, which transcends all names and forms.

The verse instructs the seeker to realize the Self as Turiya, which is the goal of all spiritual practice. Turiya is not something to be attained or achieved, but something to be recognized and revealed. It is the true Self of all beings, and the only thing worth knowing.

Next Verse is from the Katha Upanishad, which narrates the dialogue between Yama, the god of death, and Nachiketa, a young seeker.

न तत्र सूर्यो भाति न चन्द्रतारकं नेमा विद्युतो भान्ति कुतोऽयमग्निः ।

तमेव भान्तमनुभाति सर्वं तस्य भासा सर्वमिदं विभाति ॥ १५ ॥

There the sun does not shine, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do these flashes of lightning shine, how can this fire? He alone shines, everything shines after him. By his light all this shines.

The Verse denies the existence of any other Source of Light or illumination apart from the Self. The sun, the moon, the stars, the lightning, and the fire are all dependent on the Self for their existence and brightness. They are not self-luminous, but reflect the light of the Self.

The verse asserts that the Self alone is self-luminous, and everything else shines after Him. The Self is the inner light of Consciousness, which illumines all objects and experiences. The Self is not affected by any external conditions or changes, but remains ever shining and constant.

The Verse implies that the seeker should turn away from the external sources of light and seek the inner light of the Self. The seeker should realize that he is not different from the Self, but identical with him. The seeker should abide in his own light, which is the light of all.

End of Chapter-15